Anti-Aging Skin Care for Combination-Skin Types

The usual combination-skin division: oilier in the T-zone (nose, chin, forehead) and normal to dry everywhere else. Your goal? To treat both skin types without compromising the condition of one for the other.

By Emily Listfield

Photograph: Istock.com

PLUMP The oilier parts of your face will age more slowly than your cheeks and eyes (at least all that se-bum is good for something!). So to keep the areas out-side your T-zone from
sagging ahead of the rest of your face, most dermatologists suggest adding to your regimen a product that increases collagen production. A tretinoin or retinol will help somewhat, but you can boost results with a collagen-building, peptide-rich product on cheeks and under the eyes (if you don’t opt for a separate eye product; see the option below) after applying your retinoid. USE AM AND PM.

CLEAR OUT Because your T-zone is oilier, you can still get blackheads and whiteheads around your nose. Using a clay mask once a week helps draw out pore-clogging debris and excess oil. Or for more immediate results, try a blackhead-extracting strip like Bioré’s. USE AS NEEDED.

GIVE EYES EXTRA TLC The skin in the eye area is more similar to your cheeks than to your shiny T-zone. So it could use a moisturizing anti-aging treatment nightly to keep that thin, quick-to-crepe area smooth. USE PM ONLY.